ORAC - Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Association

What ORAC - Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Association does

ORAC (Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1967 and incorporated as a Corporation Without Share Capital under Ontario law. It represents over 150 unionized HVACR contractor members operating across industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential refrigeration and air conditioning in Ontario. The association serves as the industry's collective voice to Provincial and Federal Ministries, manages a standing Technical Safety and Standards Committee (TSSC) engaging with the TSSA and Electrical Safety Authority, and is the largest organized body of HVACR contractor practitioners in the province.

ORAC's core products and services center on three revenue-generating programs: (1) contractor and associate membership subscriptions ($500/year plus a $1,500 initiation fee for new contractor members), (2) the First-Year Apprentice Intake Program for the 313A Commercial Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic trade (with $75+HST application and $275+HST testing fees), and (3) TSSA-approved brazing certification programs at the JTAC facility ($86.82+HST registration plus $158.50 TSSA fee per certificate size). The organization jointly operates the Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC) training facility in Brampton with UA Local 787 — a union representing 3,500+ members and 300+ signatory contractors — delivering apprenticeship training, Gas Technician licensing (G3/G2/G1), Ozone Depletion Prevention training, and continuing education.

The business model is subscription and fee-based with no equity funding, no technology platform revenue, and no disclosed financials. Distribution is entirely Ontario-based, executed through direct membership enrollment, a public contractor directory on orac.ca, an online apprentice application portal, four annual in-person events (AGM, Charity Golf, Spring Forum, Fall Forum, Education Symposium), the ORAC 2.0 webinar series, and a monthly Air Waves newsletter. ORAC's strategic differentiation rests on its regulatory-recognized certification procedures, exclusive control of the unionized HVACR apprentice pipeline, and deep institutional ties to UA Local 787 spanning over five decades.

Name

ORAC - Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Association

Legal name

Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association

Website

https://orac.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ORAC is a not-for-profit Ontario trade association representing 150+ unionized HVACR contractors. It delivers TSSA-approved brazing certifications, the 313A apprentice intake program, and JTAC training jointly operated with UA Local 787.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVACR Trade Association Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAC)

Keywords

• HVACR trade association
• Refrigeration contractor membership
• Brazing certification
• HVACR apprenticeship training
• Unionized contractor representation

Headquarters

HQ city

Vaughan

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Contractor Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from HVACR contractor companies operating in Ontario. The association represents unionized contractors who work with UA Local 787.
2. Associate Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from associate/supplier companies in the HVACR industry.
3. Apprentice Application and Testing Fees: Application fee of $75 + HST plus testing administration fee of $275 + HST for the First Year Apprentice Intake Program.
4. Brazing Certification Fees: Registration fees for brazing certification testing at JTAC ($86.82 + HST per employee) plus TSSA certification fees ($158.50 per employee per certificate size). Offsite brazing certification available at employer facilities.
5. Apprentice Brazing Certification Fees: Level 1 Apprentice Brazing Certification at $100.00 + HST testing fee per apprentice plus $158.50 TSSA certification fee per apprentice, per certification size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ORAC is a not-for-profit trade association that sells HVACR contractor and associate memberships and delivers paid member services including TSSA-approved brazing certifications, a first-year HVACR apprentice intake program, and joint apprenticeship training through JTAC. Its revenue drivers are annual membership subscriptions plus fees for apprentice applications, brazing certification testing, and continuing education programs.

Product overview

ORAC is a not-for-profit trade association representing Ontario's refrigeration and air conditioning contractors. The organization offers a platform of interconnected membership services including contractor and associate membership programs, the JTAC (Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee) training division, and an apprentice intake program. Core services include TSSA-approved brazing certifications, apprenticeship training for the 313A trade designation, and professional development through events like the AGM, Forums, and webinars. The ORAC 2.0 webinar series and Air Waves newsletter provide ongoing education and communication, while the contractor directory facilitates business connections between members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contractor Membership Annual membership for HVACR contractor companies in Ontario providing access to training resources, certification programs, networking events, government advocacy, and the ORAC Ready-to-Hire apprentice list. Annual fee $500 + HST with a $1,500 + HST initiation fee for new members.
• Associate Membership Annual membership for HVACR manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and service providers, providing networking, advertising to contractor members, and inclusion in the public associate directory.
• First-Year HVACR Apprentice Intake Program Competitive selection program for candidates entering the unionized 313A Commercial Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic apprenticeship. Application fee $75 + HST and testing fee $275 + HST. Successful candidates are placed on the ORAC Ready-to-Hire list for member contractors. Current UA Local 787 members with 12+ months of dues paid are exempt from fees.
• Brazing Certification Program (JTAC) TSSA-approved brazing certification for HVACR technicians covering multiple tube sizes and materials, combining classroom theory and hands-on examinations at the JTAC facility. Registration fee $86.82 + HST per employee plus $158.50 TSSA fee per certificate size. Re-test fees are 50% of original fee.
• Offsite Brazing Certification TSSA-approved brazing certification delivered at the employer facility for HVACR technicians. Registration fee $86.82 + HST per employee plus $158.50 TSSA fee per certificate size, with an additional TSSA inspection fee for the agent's inspection and signature.
• Level 1 Apprentice Brazing Certification Brazing certification tailored for first-year HVACR apprentices. Testing fee $100.00 + HST per apprentice plus $158.50 TSSA certification fee per apprentice per certification size.
• JTAC Training Programs Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee programs delivered at JTAC in Brampton, ON, including apprenticeship training (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced), Gas Technician Licensing (G3, G2, G1), Ozone Depletion Prevention Training, and continuing education for HVACR professionals and UA Local 787 members.

Quantifiable outcome

• First-Year Apprentice Rate (2025): $24.75/hour; Journeyman Rate (2025): $62.40/hour for 313A Commercial HVACR

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UA Local 787 - United Association Refrigeration WorkerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 1951UA Local 787 was chartered on April 14, 1951. ORAC has Collective Agreements with Local 787 and jointly operates the JTAC (Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee) for apprenticeship training and journeyperson upgrading programs. The partnership governs the First Year Apprentice Intake Program and maintains apprenticeship standards.
• Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJTAC is a state-of-the-art training facility in Brampton, ON operated jointly by ORAC and UA Local 787. It provides apprenticeship training (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced), Gas Technician Licensing (G3, G2, G1), Ozone Depletion Prevention Training, and Brazing Certifications for UA787 members, apprentices, and licensed journeymen.
• HRAI - Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of CanadaminorOthersHRAI is a national trade association founded in 1968 representing manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors in Canadian HVACR industries. Listed as an associate member, HRAI advocates for safe, responsible industry practices and provides education and training programs.
• Alltemp Products (DiversiTech Company)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanada's leading distributor of HVAC/R products located near Toronto, Ontario. Distributes through established network throughout North America, offering rotom motors, electrical components, refrigerants, service tools, compressors, and other HVAC/R products.
• Carrier Enterprise Canada (WWG)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading North American distributor of HVAC equipment and solutions. Exclusive distributor of Carrier, Bryant, and Payne brands, offering residential, light-commercial, and applied commercial HVAC systems along with aftermarket parts and supplies.
• Trane Canada / Trane TechnologiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading provider of commercial HVAC solutions across Canada. Part of Trane Technologies, delivering customized future-ready systems including indoor climate control, energy services, and building automation with focus on decarbonizing buildings.
• Wolseley Canada / Frontier HVAC/R GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading wholesale distributor to plumbing, HVAC/R, waterworks and industrial markets in Canada. Part of Ferguson - world's largest trade distributor. Over 220 branches coast-to-coast with thousands of products from top manufacturers.
• The Master Group (Master Comfort Distributor)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHVAC-R innovation and community impact focused distributor. Reducing energy consumption, advancing new technologies, and mentoring next generation of HVAC professionals across Canada.
• KeepRite RefrigerationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorComplete line of Commercial Refrigeration Products and Solutions. Listed as associate member providing refrigeration products and solutions to contractor members.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH): National Canadian association for plumbing, heating, and HVAC wholesalers and manufacturers. Comparable membership-based trade association model serving overlapping industry segments and offering similar training and advocacy services.
• Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA): US trade association representing sheet metal and HVAC contractors, with strong apprenticeship and certification programs run jointly with labour partners. Closely comparable union-affiliated training-and-advocacy model.
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC): US national association for plumbing, heating and cooling contractors. Comparable structure combining apprenticeship coordination, certification, government advocacy, and member benefits for trade contractors.
• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES): International HVACR education and certification society focused on training technicians. RSES competes in the same certification and continuing-education space as ORAC's JTAC brazing and gas technician programs.
• Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA): US national trade association for mechanical contractors (including HVAC). Operates the same labour-affiliated, training-and-certification-plus-advocacy model as ORAC but at substantially larger scale across the United States.
• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA): US trade association serving HVACR contractors with training, certification, and standards advocacy. ACCA's contractor-membership and QA-certification model mirrors ORAC's Ontario-focused member services closely.
• Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI): National Canadian HVACR trade association representing manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors. HRAI overlaps directly with ORAC's mandate but at a national scope, making it the most comparable peer and ORAC's closest competitor for member mind-share in Ontario.

Others

• United Association (UA) of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs: Parent international union of UA Local 787, ORAC's core partner. UA governs the apprenticeship standards and trade designations that ORAC's programs are built around, making it an ecosystem dependency rather than a competitor.
• Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada): National association for commercial building owners and operators, a key end-customer segment for ORAC contractor members. BOMA represents the demand side of the same building-services ecosystem ORAC's contractors serve.

Broad incumbents

• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): Large US open-shop (non-union) construction trade association. ABC represents an alternative model to ORAC's unionized, UA-Local-787-affiliated contractor base, providing a useful strategic contrast for member recruitment dynamics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oracassociation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ORAC - Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Association